Section Four

What impact did the French and British empires have on North America?

By the 1500’s, Martin Luther began the Protestant Reformation had begun and challenged the rule of the Catholic Church in Europe. In the New World, the Catholic nations of Spain and France competed with the Protestant nations of England and the Netherlands

In 1534 Henry the VIII established the Church of England, or Anglican Church. Henry declared himself head of this Protestant church. By breaking with the Catholic church, Henry the VIII made himself the enemy of other European rulers who were Catholics. Henry the VIII

King Philip II of Spain, a Catholic ruler, put together a large fleet called the Spanish Armada to defeat the Protestant nation of England. King Philip II of Spain, a Catholic ruler, put together a large fleet called the Spanish Armada to defeat the Protestant nation of England. King Philip II of Spain, a Catholic ruler, put together a large fleet called the Spanish Armada to defeat the Protestant nation of England.

England had fewer ships, but they were quick. In July 1588 the English navy defeated the Armada opening the way for English colonization. Also the economic inflation of Spain led to the overseas expansion of other nations.

With Spain & Portugal dividing up the New World, other nations tried to search out a new way to get to Asia by traveling above the Americas (the Northwest Passage)

Often conflicts between Catholics and Protestants led to war. In the late 1500s French Catholics fought French Protestants known as Huguenots. Many Huguenots traveled to the Americas for religious freedom.

1497, John Cabot (England) sailed the coast of Newfoundland searching. 1524, Giovanni da Verrazano (France) sailed the coast from Nova Scotia to the Carolinas. 1535, Jacques Cartier (France) sailed into the St. Lawrence River (established Montreal) 1609, Henry Hudson (Netherlands) sailed into the Hudson River. 1610, Henry Hudson (England) sailed into Hudson Bay

Sir Walter Raleigh of England was given a charter, a document giving permission to establish a colony The first colony was placed on Roanoke Island, NC. It failed and was later resettled by John White. John White left back to England in 1587, and didn’t return for 3 years. When he came back the colony was deserted and the word “Croatoan” written on a tree. No one knows what happened to the colony

While Spain & England actively desired to create settlements in America, France was content to make money with fishing & fur trading. 1609, Samuel de Champlain established Quebec as a trading post for the Native Americans and “coureurs de bois” (French trappers) 1621, the Dutch established New Netherlands (New York)

1. What invention helped spread the ideas of the Protestant Reformation? 2. Why did King Philip II launch the Spanish Armada? 3. Even though none of the explorers found a Northwest Passage, why were their voyages considered successful? 4. What happened to the Roanoke Colony? 5. Why was Peter Minuit important?

1. Which explorer made two voyages to find the Northwest Passage? 2. Which explorer started farthest south in searching for a Northwest Passage? 3. Which explorer discovered Hudson Bay?

Explain how each European empire (French, British, and Dutch) in North America was successful?